Hose coupling



` April 7, 1925. l

, I. COWLES ,HOSE GOUPLING lFiled Feb. 4. 1921 2 Shoots-Shut 1 vWWW/#0017 :luf/Wm /l/ lli F J- Patent-ed Apr. 7, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRVING COWLES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HOSE COUPLING.

Application filed February 4, 1921. Serial No. 442,565.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, IRVING CowLEs, a citi- :ccn of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of llli-nois, haveinvented certain new and use.

ful Improvements in Hose Couplings, of

which the followino` is a specifica-tion.

This invention re ates to improvements in hose couplings, also sometimesreferred to as hose clamps, and has for its particular A further objectof the invention is to provide a device of this character which may bemounted on the hose without subjecting the latter to any tortional orfrictional strain such as is apt to break `or mar `the exterior surfacethereof.

A further important object of the invention is'to provide a device ofthe character aforesaid which is adapted for engaging and en'icientlyclamping upon the stem inserted into the bore thereof, hose of quite avariety of different external diameters, and, further, to render a givensize of external clamping means interchangeable with a number of stemsof varying diameters. Thus, for eX- ample, a given size of externalclamping means, such as one inch diameter, ca able of eflicientlyengaging hose downto t reequarter inch outer diameter, may be associatedwith any one of a series of stems varying from three sixteenths inch toone half inch, according to the bore diameter of said hose. Andreversely, a stem of given diameter may be used'with a variety of sizesof external clamping means, the advantage re-l sulting from these Widerangesdging in the fact that the dealer is enabled to .supplypractically every want of the customer from a far smaller stock on handthan he Ihas been heretofore obliged to carry, the interengagingportions of Istems and clamping means constituting the. constant for theentire series.

A further object lof the invention is to provide a hose-clamp orcoupling possessing all of the advantages above enumerated whichpossesses the furtherv advantage of having every partl thereof capableof being with that shown produced very cheaply by means of automaticscrew-machines and punch presses with the. resultant advantages of costeconvomy and finished appearance.

The foregoing objects include that of so associating the parts of theclamp with the hose. that the tension tending to pull the stem and outerclamping elements apart is borne mainly inthe outer wall thereof tothereby most effectually Aresist the tearing away of the hose from theclamp and avoiding injury to the hose resulting therefrom; and to soassociate the stem with the other itself to a position slightlyeccentric to.the outer elements in accordance with slight inaccuraciescommonly occurring in w'all thicknesses of flexibe hose and therebyLassure uniform clamping pressure upon` the entire portion of' the hosedisposed within the clamping zone.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred form in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig.1 is a perspective view of a hose clamp orcoupling constructed in accordancey AWlth the invention showlng the samemounted at one end of a piece of flexible hose;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are respectively central longitudinal sections ofdthecoupling and the hose showingthe 'same coupling applied to various sizesof hose;

elements 'as to permit the former to adjust I l F1g. 5 is a perspectiveview of one member of the hose clamp or coupling;

F the exible clamping element of the device;

Fig. 7 is aperspeetive central longitudinal section showing the elementcoacting :n Fig. G for effecting a clamping of the `nose;

8 and 9 are` fragmentary enlarged dtail central longitudinal sections ofthe cipling or clamp to more definitely illustrate the precise actionthen-ef in use.

The coupling comprises .he stem shown in detail in Fig. 5, whichcrmpriscs a stem A- of usual construction adapted to enter the end ofthe hose. Such stem has a tapered end, portion B and a plurality ofsharp circumferential ribs (l adapted to engage the inner surface orinner circumferential wall of the hose. Said stem is further slightlytapered throughout its length, as more particularly shown in Figs. 8 and9, so as to i0. 6 is a central longitudinal section'of )of `which is ofexpand the end portion of,v the hose gradually during insertion of saidstem.

The other end of said' member isexternall threaded for effectingconnection of the ose with a pneumatic tube or the like, and between thestem A and the threaded portion D said member is hexagonal and annularlyenlarged as indicated at E. Be. tween the ends of said hexagonal portionthere is an annular groove into which a split ring F is sprung whichconstitutes an annular shoulder or collar. Y

The member G shown in detail in Fig. y6 comprises an externally threadedsleeve terminating at one end in a plurality of longitudinallyprojecting flexible fingers H, each Y greater thickness adjacent itsfree end than at its point of connection with the threaded portion ofthe sleeve. Thus each finger or projection is provided with aridge orshoulder I from which the stemis tapered to its free end. The innersurfaces of the fingers together constitute or provide a. cylindrical orsubstantially cylindrical surface fiush with the inner diameter of thethreaded portion of said sleeve. The latter is provided'at its other endwith an en'd wall provided with -a central hexagonal opening Jcorresponding substantially in dimensions' with the hexagonal portion Eof the stem. Said hexagonal portion and the threaded portion are adaptedto be passed through said opening J so that thesplit collar F rests-Vviously, when upon the inner surface of the metal borderhexagonalopening J so relatively disposed the said sleeve G and stem are renderednon-rotatable relatively to each other. The sleeve G, with its end wall,may be said to constitute'a cup.

The end` portion of the fiexible hose mounted upon the stem A will passso as to project into said cup and in engaging relation to the flexiblefingers H, as more paring this said ticularly illustrated in Figs. 2-to4. and 9, in-

clusive. Before the stem 'and hose-is inserted, as last above described,the sleeve K is mounted on the hose and after insertion is moved to'engage the internal threads L Vthereof with the threads of the sleeveG.

Between its ends `1the sleeve K is provided with a tapered portion M,the angle of which correspondssubstantially to the taper of theouterorfree end portions of the fingers H, so that as said sleeve 'is movedinto engage:

ment with the sleeve G by continued rotation thereof the said taperedportion M will 'engage the outerl tapered portionsl of said fingers I-Iand efi'ect contraction thereof upg on the exterior surface of the hose,thus forcs.

ing the latter into very strong surface contact4 with the hose andclamping the latter firmly upon the stem A. VThis clamping is effected{usually-.by engaging the hexagonal portion/E ofthe stem andthe exteriorhexagonal pdrtion N of the sleeve: K with wrenches whereby to hold oneof said parts 4 against rotation while rotating the other relativelythereto.

The fingers or projections H are most-flexible adjacent their points ofconnection with the body portion of the sleeve G so that as the sleeve Kis moved in thc last named direction the free end portions of saidfingers, which are relatively inflexible, will b'e forced down uponthehose so as to effect engage. ment of the relatively. flat innersurfaces ,of said fingers or projections with the surface of the hoseWhile said inner surfaces are maintained in or brought into a finalposition lto still present a substantially cylindrical surface ofconsiderable length. In other words, the-fiexibility of the shankportions permits the free end portions to accommo' date themselves tothe contour of the opposed hose surface. Obviously, as contraction ofthe fingers lis effected', flexion ofthe latter will take place at thepoint or" points of greatest flexibility thereof, and this permits acoupling adapted particularly for a halfinch hose to be used also for athree-eighths and one-quarter inch -or intermediate sizes Withoutvarying the dimensions4 of the coupling in any manner except as tothe.exter.

taken to. show l fingers. When moved furtherthe said fingers will beforced down into the surface, -of the hose to any desired extent but thesurface contact will be over a .considerable length of the surface ofthe fingers. VVhe-n applied as shown in Fig. 3 to a hose of smallerdiameter it will be notcd'that the tapered inner portion of the sleeve Kbecomes disposed at a higher elevation upon the fingers and -adjacent tothe ridges I thereof. It will e be noted in this figure that the fingersare fiexed adjacent their ,junction with the body of the sleeve G, toogee curves and thatthe inner surfaces thereof for a distancesubstantially equal forward and rearward of the plane of the ridgesIebear fi'atly upon thev surface of the hose.

Inv Fig. 4 is illustrated the adaptation of the coupling to the smallestsize hbse capable of being clamped thereby, and in this figure it willbe noted that the tapered inner `por- `tion of the sleeve'K has passedthe plane of the ridges I and bea-rs upon the fingers rearwardly thereofas well as upon said ridges to' a certain extent.- The flexed portion ofthe fingers now present aftapered surface which will be borne upon bythe. outer or portion A and the sleeve G out of round rod. rlfhisI makesmanufacture of the coupling veryof smallest diameter of the inner taperof the sleeve K, so that a continued movement of the latter uponthe/sleeve G will effect a` further clamping or contraction of saidfingers upon the hose.

The invention consists in part essentially in the relative formation ofthe fingers and the sleeve K to provide the coaction above describedwhereby the coupling is adapted for hose of various diameters, and alsoin the mode of associating or couplingI the 'stem with the sleeve Gwhereby the clamping of the hose may be effected Without effecting anytorsion or other injurious strain on the hose, and without cutting orimpairing the outer covering of duck, knitted fabric or wire-cloth verycommonly found on the high pressure hose for which this coupling isparticularly intended and adapted.

As is clearly evident from the drawings, there is a great advantageincident to this construction which is quite as important as thosehereinhefore enumerated, and this lies in the factfthat the severalmembers of the clamp are easily turned out by automatic screw-mechanismsas to all work except that of cuttin the hexagonal opening in the endWall of t 1e sleeve G and the slots between the fingers H. The sleeve Kand the steml A are turned from hexagonal rod cheap and the few paitsmakes it very convenient to use! l The split ringl mounted on thehexagonal part. of the stem is very -advantageous in -that it transmitsthe strain resulting'from high pressure Within, the hose and from`manual tension on the latter sometimes occurring in use of such hose, tothe member G and thus obviates the tendency to Withdraw the stem fromthe hose, it being obvious that in the absence of said collar, tensionon lthe hose might result, in extreme cases, in

withdrawing said stem to the irreparable injury of the hose.

lVhile I have lshown the preferred embodiment of the invention in theaccompanying drawings, it will be understood, of course, that -suchembodiment may be changed and varied in details without departure' fromthe invention as defined i l claim as my invention: Y v

l. Ahose-clamp or coupling including a member terminating at one end, ina plurality of flexible fingers, the inner faces of the latter normallypresenting al discontinuous substantially cylindricaly surface', saidmember and fingers constituting a single,

" integral structure. said fingers having substantially inflexible freeend portions con` stituting substantial portions of said fin-A gers, andvery flexible shank-portions to thereby permit the said 'free endportions to be moved a substantial .distance bodilfyl radially to engagehose of considerable ferent outer diameters while the inner faces ofsaid fingers are maintained in position to present a substantiallycylindrical surface common to all thereof.

2. A hose-coupling including a substantially cylindrical externally igrooved stem adapted to enter the end of a hose, a member terminating atone end in a plurality 1 of flexible fingers, the inner faces of thelatter normally presenting a discontinuous substantially1 cylindricalsurface, said member and fingers constituting la single, integralstructure, said fingers having substantially inflexible free endportions constituting substantial portions of said fingers, and veryflexible shank-portions to thereby permit the said free end portions tobe moved bod-ily radially to engage hose of considerably different outerdiameters Whilegthe ,inner faces thereof are maintained in position ntopresent Y a substantially cylindrical surface common to all thereof -tothereby clamp thewall of the hose upon said stem. W

3. A hose-coupling including. a substantially cylindrical externallygroovedstem adapted to enter the end of a hose, a member terminating atone end in a pluralityof flexible fingers, the inner faces of the latternormally presenting a discontinuous substantially cylindrical surface,said memberand 'fingers constituting a single, integral structure, saidfingers having substantially yinflexible free end portions constitutingsubstantial portions of said fingers, an sufficiently flexibleshank-portions to therebyl permit the said yfree end portions to bemovedJ bodily radially to engage hose of considerably different 'outerdiameters While the inner faces thereof accommodate themselves to thecontour of the opposed surface of the hose to thereby clamp the wall ofthe hose upon said stem, vand a member operatively associated with saidfingered member for engaging said fingers to force y and maintain saidfree end-portions thereof 1n engagement with said hose. '1

4. A hose-coupling including a member having an end-Wall provided withacentral opening and terminating at one en d in a plurality of flexiblefhlgers, thel inner faces of the latter normally presenting adiscontinuous substantially cylindrical surface, said member and fingersconstituting a single, integral structure, sid fingers havingsubstantially inflexible f ee end portions constituting substantialportions of said fingers, and sufieiently flexible shank-portions tothereby permit'the said free end portions to be moved bodily1 intoengagement with hose of considerably different outer diameters andaccommodate themselves to the-'contour of the opposed surface-of thesame throughout their length, and a stem for entering the .hoseadapted-to project throughrsaid openf having an end-wall provided with acentral yopening and terminating at one end 1n a plurality of flexiblelingers, the inner faces of the latter normally presenting adiscontinuous. substantially cylindrical surface, said member andfingers co-nstituting a single, integral structure, said fingers havingsubstantially inflexible free end 'portions constitutingsubstantialportions of said fingers, and sufliciently flexibleshank-portions to thereby permit'the said 'free end portions to be movedbodily into engagement with hose of considerably different outerdiameters and accommodate themselves\to the contour of the opposedsurface of the same throughout their length, and a stem forenteringgthe' hose adapted to'project through said op/ening for coactionwith said fingers to clamp the hose said opening and said stem arrangedVto prevent rotation of the latter within the former. A.

6. A hose-coupling including a member having an end-wall provided with acentral opening andterm'inating at one end in a` plurality of flexiblelingers, the inner faces of the latterl normally presenting a discon-rtinuous substant-ially cylindrical surface, said member Aand fingersconstituting a single, `integral structure, saidfinfershavingsubstantially inflexible free edportions constituting substantial`portions-fof said,

l' fingers, and sufiiciently flexible shank-portions to ther'eby permitthe said free end portions to be moved bodily into engagement with hose-of considerably different outer diameters and accommodate themselves tothe contour of the opposed surface of the same throughout their length,and a stem for entering the hose adapted to project through said openingand a collar between the ends of said stem to limit the longitudinalvmovement of the latter in one direction relatively to said fingeredmember.

ing ls ibstantially infiexible free end portions constitutingsubstantial portions 'of "said .7. A hose-coupling `including a memberhaving an end-wall provided with' polyg onal opening and terminating atone end in a plurality of flexible fingers, the inner faces of thelatter normally presenting a" discontinuqous substantially cyfindricalsurface, said member and fingersconstituting a-single,intcgralstructure, said fingers havfingers, and sufficiently fiexibleshank-portions to thereby permit the said free end portions to be.Vmoved bodily into engagement with hose of considerably difl'erentouterdiameters and accommodate themselvesto the .contour of the op osedsurface ofthe same throughout theirengt and a stem having 8. A4hose-coupling including a niember having an end-Wall provided with apolygonal openingand terminating at one end ina plurality of flexiblefingers, the inner faces of the latter normally presenting adiscontinuous substantially cylindrical surface, said member and fingersconstituting a single, integral structure, said fingers havingsubstantially inflexible free end portions constituting substantialportions of said fingers, and sufficiently flexible shank-portions tothereby permit the said free end portions to be moved bodily intoengagement with hose of considerably different outer diameters andaccommodate themselves to thccontour of the 'opposed surface of the samethroughout their length and a stem having a polygonal end portion forengaging in said opening and va substantially cylindrical groovedportion for engagement in the hose for coactio-n with said fingers toclamp said hose, there being a stop formation between the ends ofsaidfpolygonal portion for engaging the end wall of said member on theside facing said fingers. p

9. A hose-coupling including a substantially cylindrical externallygrooved stem adapted to enter the end' of a hose, and having a polygonalend portion, a member having an end wall provided with a central'"thereof are maintained in position to present "a substantiallycyhndrical'surface common to all thereof to thereby clamp the hose uponthe`portion of the stem 'disposed therein and a member operativelyassociated with said fingered member for engaging said fingers toforceland maintain said free end-portions, thereof 1n engagement withsaid hose.

l0. A hose-coupling including a substantially. cylindrical externallygrooved stem adapted to enter the end of a hose, and having a` polygonalend portion, almember having an end Wall provided with a centralpolygonal opening to receive and engage the vpolygonal portion of saidstem and terminating at one end in a plurality of fiexible fingers, theinner faces of the latter normally presenting a discontinuoussubstantially cylindrical surface, said member and fingers constitutinga single,l integral structure, said fingers having substantiallyinflexible free end portions constituting substantial portions of saidfingers, and sufficiently flexible shank-portions to permit the saidfree end portions to be moved bodily radially to engage hose ofconsiderably dif ferent outer diameters While the inner faces thereofare maintained in position topresent a substantially cylindricalsurfacecommon to all thereof to thereby clamp the hose upon the portionof the stem disposed therein and a member operatively associated withsaid ngered` member for engaging said fingers to force andimaintain saidfree endportions thereof in engagement with said hose, saidfinger-flexing member including an exterior polygonal surface portionthe latter and said polygonal surface portion of said stem adapted forengagement with Wrenches for effecting a relative movement between saidfingered memberand said flexin member for effecting forced fiexion ofsaid fingers upon the'hose. 4

11. A hose-coupling including a subst-an'- vtially cylindricalexternally grooved stem adapted to enter the end of a hose, and having apolygonal end portion, a member lhavinga'n end Wall provided with acentral polygonal opening to'receive and engage the polygonal portion ofsaid stem and terminating at one end in a plurality of flexible fingers,the inner faces of the latter normal ly presenting a discontinuoussubstantially cylindrical surface, said member and fingers constitutinga single, integral struct-ure, said fingers having substantiallyinflexible free end portions constituting s ubstantial portions of saidfingers, and sufficiently liexible shank-portions to permit the saidfree end portions to be moved bodily radially to e-ngage hose ofconsiderably different outer diameters While the inner faces thereof aremaintained in position to present a substantially cylindrical surfacecommon to all thereof to thereby clamp the hose upon the portion of thestem -disposed therein, and a member having threaded engagement withsaid fingered member and provided internally with a surface formationadapted for engagement with said inflexible end portions of said fingersto contract the same upon the hose, said finger-fiexing member includingan exterior polygonal surface portion, the latter and said polygonalsurface portion of said stem adapted for engagement with Wrenches foreffecting a relatlve movement between said fingered member and saidflexing member for effecting forced flexion of said fingers upon thehose.

12. In a hose-clamp or coupling, a memberV for engaging the exteriorsurface of a. hose,

ferent outer diameters and the shank por- Ations thereof flexed,to'substantially ogee curved formation to thereby permit said free endportions. to accommodate themselves flo the contour of the opposedsurface of the ose.

13. A hose-clamp comp-rising a stem element to engage in' the hose, amember comprising an externally threaded body-portion terminating at oneend in flexible fingers devoid of threads for engaging the exv.teriorsurface of thehose, Said fingers having inner-faces normally disposed topresent a discontinuous, substantially cylindrical surface, the outerend portions of said fingers, constituting more than half the lengththereof, being substantially inflexible and each provided exteriorlybetween its ends with a ridge, the shank portions of said fingers being'sufiiciently flexible to permit said end portions to beV moved bodilyinwardly-to engage ho-se of considerably different y outer diameters,and an internally threaded sleeve having in part a smooth, tapered andstepped bore presenting surfaces adapted toengage said ridges of saidlingers to force the same upon..a hose as said sleeve is rotated in onedirection relatively to Said member.

14. A hose-clamp comprising a stem for engaging at one end in a hose andincluding a, polygonal portion between its ends, a member comprising anexternally threaded body portion terminating at one end in flexiblefingers, devoid of threads, for engaging the exterior surface of thehose, said fingers having inner faces normally disposed to present adiscontinuous, substantially cylindrical surface, the outer end portionsof said fingers, constituting mo-re than half the length thereof, beingsubstantially inflexible an each provided exteriorl'y between its endswith a ridge, the shank portions of said lingers being sufficientlyfiexible to rmit said end-portions to be moved bod1ly inwardly to engagehose of considerably different outer diameters, there being a polygonalcentral opening in said member to loosely receive and non-rotatablyengage the polygonal portion of said .stem While allowing the lattersufficient play to accommodate itself to inequalities in Wall thicknessof the hose, and an internally threaded sleeve having in part a smooth,tapered bore for engaging the' ridges of said fingers to contract thesame upon the hose as said sleeve is'ro'tated relativelyto said memberand said stem m one d1rect1on. l

. 15. A hose-clamp comprising a, stem for engaging at one end in a'hoseand including a polygonal po-rtio-n between its ends, a membercomprising ah externally threaded body rportion terminating at one endinflexible fingers, devoid of threads, for engaging the exterior surfaceof the hose, said fingers having inner faces normallydisposed to presentaL discontinuous, substantiallycylindrical surface, the outer endportions of said lingers, constituting more vthan half the lengththereof, being substantially inflexible land each provided exteriorlybetween its ends with a ridge, the shank portions of said lingers beingsutliciently mit said end-portions to be moved bodily sleeve is rotatedrelatively to said member and said stem in one direction.

16. A hose-clamp comp-rising a stem in.

cluding a polygonal portion, a stop-formation associated therewith, anda tapered portion for insertion into a hose, a member hav- `ing acentralpolygonal opening for receiving 4said polygonal portion andcoacting with the latter and said stop formation for preventing relativerotation and'longit-udinal movement in one direct-ion of said stem, saidmember having an externally threaded portion disposed flexiblefingers,.said lingers having inner faces normally disposed to present adiscontinuous substantially cylindrical sur-l face, the outer endportions of said fingers, constituting more than half the lengththereof, being substantially inflexible and each provided exteriorlybetween its ends with a ridge, the shank portions of `vsaid fingersbeing suliiciently flexible to permit said end-portions to be movedbodily inwardly to engage hose of considerably different outerdiameters, and an inuternally Ithreaded sleeve having in part a smooth,y tapered bore for engagmg the ridges of said lingers to contract thesame upon the hose as said sleeve is rotatedrela-tively to said memberand said stem in one direct-ion.

l17. A hose clamp including external hose` engaging means' 'com rislng amember equipped with a plurality of longitudinally 'extending fingerseach having a substantie.

portion and a very thel former being of ly inflexible free end flexibleshank portion,

`flexible to per-1 and a plurality of longitudinally substantial lengthand width to therebyf permit the same to be brought into engagement withhosel of considerably different outer diameters and accommodatethemselves to' thecontour ofthe opposed hose surface, a nipple forengaging in the hose, means for preventing relative rotation betweensaid nipple and fingers, andmeans rotatable rela tively to the latterand said nipple for effecting contraction of said end portions ofsaidingers upon the hose.

18. A hose-clamp or coupling comprising a unitary, externally threadedmember. having an end-Wall provided with a polygonal centra-l openingand terminating at; its other end in spared flexible fingers adapted forforced engagement with a hose, a stem for engaging in the bore of thehose for coaction with said lingers to clamp the same, said .stem havinga polygonal end portion adapted to engage in said o-pening to pre.- ventrotationthereof relatively lto said fingered member, and an internallythreaded member having an internall wallf'ormartion for engaging andcontracting said lingers on the hose as it is rotated in one directionrelativelyto said fingered member while in threaded engagementtherewith, nally threaded peripheral surface portion for engagement witha wrench and said polygonal portion of slid stem 'adapted for engagementwith,

a w lench to thereby permit forced relative rotation of said internallythreaded member relatively to' said fingered member, saidpolygonal'portions of said stem and internally threaded member beingrespectively the portions of greatest dimensionsv diametrically thereof;

19. A hose-clamp or coupling comprising a unitary, externally threadedmember having an end-wall provided with aipoly'gonal central opening andterminating at itsv other end in spaced -llexible fingers adapted forforced engagement with a-hose, a stem for engaging in thev bore of thehose for-coaction with said fingers to clamp the same, said stem havinga polygonal end portion adapted to engage in said opening to preventrotation thereofv relatively to said fingered member and equippedbetween the ends of said polygonal portion `with a surface ,projectionmovement relatively to said lingered member, and an internally threadedmember having an internal wall formation for engaging and contractingsaid fingers on the .hose as it is rot-ated in one direction relativelyto said vfingered member while in'threaded lengagement therewith, saidinternally threaded member having a polygonal peripheral surface portionfor engagement with a wrench and said polygonal portion of said stemadapted for engagement with a. wrench to thereby permit forced relativerotation of said inter' member having a polygonal y for limiting itslongitudinal` consists ot' an internal'nipple and external.

clamping means interengaging therewith for coupling hose of variousdiameters, the hose engaging portions of said nipple and said clampingmeans varying in size proportionate to the diameter 0f the hose to beengaged, the nipples and clamping means being interchangeable throughoutthe ent-ire.

series and the size of the interengaging portions on the nipple andclamping means bcing a constant'for the entire series.

21. l-lose'coupling means adapted. for couplingl selectively anyone of aseries of hose of diit'crent external diameters Within predeterminedlimits, said means including an external clamping device equipped Withilexible clamping elements and means for lexing the same adapted forcooperation to engage the hoseexternally, and a series of nipples forengaging in hose of varying sizes within said limits, interchangeablyengageable with said external clamping means, the interengageableportionsof said nipples and clamping means constituting a constant forthe entire series.

22. Hose coupling means including a device for externally clampin(T thehose and a nipple for engaging in thea-hose, means fer separablynon-rotatably engaging the nipple with the clamping device, the latterinterchangeably engageable With nipples of varying sizes to iit hose ofvarious internal diameters and similar outer diameters, and anyone ot' aseries of said nipples interchangeably engageable with clamping devicesto lit hose of varying outer diameters, the size of the means forseparably non-rotatably engaging said nipples With said clamping devicesconstituting the constant for the several series. y

23. Hose coupling means including a de vice for externallyv clamping thehose and a nipplefor engaging in the hose, means for scparablynon-rotatably engaging lthe nipple with the clamping device, the latterinterchangeablyI engageable with nipples of varying sizes gto fithose ofvarious internal diameters and similar outer diameters, and any one" ofa series of said nipples interchangeably engageable with clamping denvices to it hose of varying outer diameters, the size of the means forsepa-rably non-rotatably engaging said nipples With said clan'ipingdevices constituting the constant for the several series, said means forsepa-1 rably non-rotatably engaging said clamping devices and nipplesinclu ing means for limiting their relative longitudinal movement in onedirection.

Q-LA hose coupling including a nipple, a member separably non-rotatablyengaged therewith, a sleeve having threaded engagement with said member,and a series of elements for engaging a hose externally, the latternon-rotatably associated With said member and adapted for coaction withsaid sleeve for contraction upon the hose.

y 25. A hose ccuplinffincluding a nipple, a member non-rotatably engagedtherewith and separable therefrom by relative longitudinal movement inone irection, a sleeve having threaded engagement with said member, anda series of l1oseclamping elements non-rotatablyr associated with saidmember and arranged for coaction with said sleeve for contraction uponthe hose, by rotation oit said sleeve relatively to'said member in onedirection.

mv iNG ooWLEs.

